Steam shovel and navvies rock cutting

L1376. Navvies and a steam navvy rock cutting at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire., circa 1897. The photograph shows the simple tools and crude excavation equipment that was available at the time. It is then remarkable that the London Extension forged its way from Nottingham to London in under six years. This section of the Line (Contract No.1 Annesley to Leake) was built by Logan & Hemingway.